John R. ""Jack"" Wagner

John R. ""Jack"" Wagner was born November 30, 1928 to Charles and Jane Wagner in Gary, Indiana. He was the 7th of 8 children. He attended Chesterton High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force. A1C Wagner was honorably discharged in September 1954 at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado. While in the Air Force he met Ileen Fink, fell in love, and they were married January 9, 1955. He attended the University of Colorado, although his higher education was a result of self-teachings through application of his photographic memory, high intellect, and thirst for knowledge. Jack worked most of his life in the insurance business as a loss control agent, retiring from American States Life Insurance in February, 1993. After retirement, he dedicated most of his time to singing with the Arion Gesangverein (now The One World Singers), Messiah Lutheran Church choir and Opera Colorado. His talent as a trained operatic tenor afforded him opportunity to sing solos in various capacities. He was an avid Bronco Football fan and rarely missed a game.. He loved to read (both fiction and non-fiction) and travel. He and Ileen made several trips to Western Europe, including concert tours with the Arion Gesangverein, plus numerous other trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. He enjoyed debating politics. He was a Bethel Bible Series teacher at Messiah Lutheran Church, and volunteered his time to the Red Cross to teach Driver Safety, mostly to senior citizens, but also drivers of all ages interested in taking the course. He was a bona fide wordsmith, quick to correct grammatical errors in speech, often to the chagrin of his family and friends. Jack was renowned for his quick wit and keen sense of humor. He loved making people laugh and smile. On April 17, 2013, he succumbed to Lymphoma and congestive heart failure after fighting a long, brave battle with those and several other illnesses. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Richard, and three sisters, Faye, Dorothy and Betty. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ileen; two daughters, Jackie (George) Meddles and Phyllis Coffman; one son, Bruce (Sylvia) Wagner; and one grandson, Adam Wagner; sisters Jeanne Jordan and Donna Rae Wagner; sisters-in-law Ann (Dick) Quist, and Laura Semmler; step-grandsons Taylor and Eric Meddles; nieces and nephews and many, many friends. In lieu of flowers, his family gratefully requests donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org (P.O. Box 9031, Pittsfield, MA, 01202-9031); and The Dumb Friends League, www.ddfl.org. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 2 PM at Messiah Community Church, 1750 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80220. Interment will take place on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 2:30 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80235. Please share your memories of Jack and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook link below.